Containers with pouring outlets



Jan. 14, 1958 R. G. PoLARl-:K ETAL 2,819,831

CONTAINERS WITH POURING OUTLETS Filed May 3, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Mrd/rae.' JAMES l. Aya/v 0 vrog/YEXS R. G. PoLAR-:K ETAL 2819,831

CONTAINERS WITH POURING OUTLETS Filed May 3, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A?Warn/5x6,

,provide for reclosure.

United States CNTAENERS WITH PURING OUTLETS Application May 3, 1954,Serial No. 427,068

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) This invention relates to containers, and moreparticularly to sift-proof boxes of the type that have pouring outlets.

In packaging commodities which are consumed intermittently, such ascereals and detergents, it is customary to use a narrow, rectangularcarton which has a punchout portion delineated (as by lines ofperforations) at the top of one of the narrow end walls. In use, thisportion is pushed inwardly back against the top of the box, and theadjacent top portion is then peeled back to form an opening throughwhich to pour the contents. Frequently, the carton will be madesift-proof by providing Van Buren ears. Although this type of box issimple to make, it has some objections.

Once opened, the carton cannot be conveniently reclosed, at least to anextent such as to prevent spilling should the carton inadvertently betipped or inverted. For the same reason, the contents thereof aresomewhat susceptible to contamination or deterioration through exposure.Also, the perforations that delineate the pouring outlet must berelatively large in order to facilitate the punching-out operation, andhence may constitute a source of leakage (when the contents are of afinely granulated character) prior to use by the customer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedsift-proof carton of the character described, wherein the pouring outletis positively sealed during initial transit and storage of the carton,and which once opened by the consumer, may be reclosed to preventaccidental spilling of the contents. Among the more specic objects ofthe invention may be noted the provision of a box of the characterdescribed which is made from a one-piece blank; the provision of acarton wherein the closure member includes a locking element which isreadily releasable by the user but which resists disengagement when thecontents are shifted within the carton; the provision of a carton ofthis type wherein the closure member is initially completely sealedabout the pouring outlet; and the provision of a carton such asdescribed which can be set up, filled and closed on existing machinery.

To these ends, we provide a carton having top, bottom, side and endwalls, the top and bottom being formed by overlying or underlyingmembers which have Van Buren ears. A pouring outlet of substantial `sizeis delineated in one of the narrow end walls, as by lines ofperforations and slits extending from the top and inwardly of the edgesthereof in converging relationship. A slit which defines the bottom ofthe pouring outlet intersects and extends beyond the converging lines toThe adjacent Van Buren ear is extended to entirely overlie the pouringoutlet, and marginal portions of the ear are adhered to the end wall insurrounding relationship with the outlet, so that the perforations andslits are protected by an adhesive applied to the extended Van Burenear. The ear is also formed with a foldable tab, which initially liesagainst but is not adhered to the end wall of the carton. Not

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being adhered, the tab may be readily grasped to pull the l earoutwardly; and that portion of the end wall which is bounded by theperforations and slits is also adhered to the ear, so that it becomesdetached as the flap is pulled outwardly, thereby to open the carton.When the carton is not in use, the hinged tab at the free end of the earis bent and inserted through the slit that defines the bottom of thepouring outlet.

It may be noted that as the contents are `shifted within the box, thistends to bend the tab, with the result that the ear is locked in itsclosed position. Also, that portion of the end wall which is adhered tothe ear'returns to an abutting coplanar relationship with the remainderof the end wall, thus providing a better seal. Indeed, it has been foundthat with this arrangement, the contents will receive additionalprotection from high relative humidity.

Other features of the invention will be in part apparent from and inpart pointed out in the following detail description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which: t

Fig. l is a plan view of a carton blank embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an oblique View of a carton formed from the blank of Fig. 1,the carton being in its sealed condition as delivered to the consumer;

Fig. 3 is a detail end view showing the openable section of the carton,parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken generally on the line 4 4- of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail view similar to that of Fig. 4, but showing how thepouring outlet is initially opened;

Fig. 6 is an oblique detail view showing how the pouring outlet isreclosed; and

Fig. 7 is a View similar to that of Fig. 5, showing the outlet reclosed.

Referring now to the drawings, the carton embodying our invention ismade from a one-piece blank of semiflexible paperboard. As shown in Fig.l, the blank is scored along transverse lines 1 and longitudinallines 3to dene a plurality of integrally-connected panels, including a glueflap 5, a relatively wide side Wall 7, a relatively narrow end wall 9, asecond side wall 11 and a second end wall 13. A tube of narrowrectangular cross section is formed by adhering the ilap 5 at one end`of the blank to the end panel 13 at the other end. Top and bottomclosures are then formed by certain flap-like members, which lieoutwardly of the longitudinal scores 3.

The flap 5 may have projecting tongues 15 (which irnprove the sift-proofquality of the carton), the slits that define these tongues preferablyterminating short of score line 3. Rectangular members 17 and 19 projectfrom the side panel 7, these members extending the full width of theside panel and projecting a distance corresponding to the width of theend panels. In the nished carton, the closure members 17 nad 19,respectively, form the outer top and bottom surfaces.

Somewhat similar top and bottom closure members 21 and 23 extend fromthe other side panel 11, but these members carry certain elements whichare known in the art as Van Buren ears. The ears project beyondtransverse scores 2S (which are continuations of the fold lines 1), butare shaped so as to accommodate end flaps which are hinged at 3 to theend walls 9 and 13. For example, the bottom closure Z3 has shorttapering ears 2.7, and the adjacent end flaps 29 are of substantialsize.

Heretofore, this type of blank would have had identical ears at the top,but the present invention contemplates a diierent arrangement. The ear31 and tiap 33 over the end wall 13 may be similar to those at thebottom, but the ear 35 over the other end Wall 9 is considerably longer.

3 ThiscarSS tapers, however, so as to accommodate a ilap 41, which ishinged to the end wall 9, and the ear 35 is scored at 37 (near its freeend) to define a tab-like projection 39.

-It may be noted also that the previous practice has been'one of forminga relatively 'small-punch-out section by ya semicircular line ofperforations extending down from the fold 3 at the top of the end panel9. This punchout section was of relatively small size, being butslightly larger than the ears shown at 27 and 3S. Such a relativelysmall punch-out opening was not adequate in itself as a pouring' outlet,hence it was general practice to also tear back a portion of the top ofthe box.

vvkWith the present invention, a substantially larger pouri'ng'outlet isdefined by slits or perforated tear lines 43, which begin at the topfold 3 of the end panel 9 but inwardly from the edges 1 thereof. Thetear lines 43 converge'to an intersecting slit or tear line 45, and thisslit preferably extends somewhat beyond the tear lines d3, as indicatedat 47. The portion 49 of the end wall which is bounded by 43 and 45 issomewhat smaller in size than the adjacent ear 35, the area of this earbeing indicated at A and B. When the ear 35 is then brought intooverlying relationship with the end Wall, the perforations are coveredby the surrounding portion at A and the portion B is covered by the tab39. The part A of the end wall 9 isadapted to make an adhesiveconnection with the ear 35, whereas the portion B preferably' does nothave any adhesive connection with the tab.

A blank Vas above described may be readily made on conventional diecutting and scoring apparatus, and it is also adapted to be set up,filled and closed with existing machinery. The usual practice is tosupply the blanks as attened tubes, the flap 5 being adhered to the endwall 13. As the blanks are fed through the lilling and closing machine,they are lirst opened and the bottom closures i9 and 23 are spread sothat they may pass over glue applicators, which apply adhesive to theunder surface thereof. The end aps and 29 are swung inwardly; theclosure member 23 is swung over so that it becomes adhered at the endflaps 29; and the other member i9 is then 'swung in and adhered to themember 23. Subsequently, the Van Buren ears 27 at the bottom are pressedagainst and adhered to the end walls 9 and 13.

The boX is then filled and a similar process is followed in closing thetop. The members 17 and 21 are lirst spread outwardly and theirunderneath sides coated with adhesive. The end liaps 15, l1 and 33 areswung in wardly; the top closure member 21 is swung over and adhered tothe end iiaps 33 and 4l; and the other top closure 17 is swung over andadhered to the member 2l. Finally, the ears 31 and 35 are swung down andadhered against the respective side walls 13 and 9.

Normally, the entire ear 35 and tab 39 would be coated with adhesive,but in the finished carton, it is desired that the tab 39 be free of theend wall 9. This may be conveniently achieved by overprinting the area Bto form a slick surface which will not take adhesive. On the other hand,the area A and the portion 49 should have a surface which will make airm adhesive connection.

4It will be apparent that the pouring outlet is completely surroundedand adhesively sealed by the part 35. This feature, in conjunction withthe ears and tongues 15 above mentioned, provides a sift-proof carton.

In use, the free tab 39 is grasped to pull back the ear portion 35, andas illustrated in Fig. 5, the adhered end wall portion 49 is also tornfree to form an opening of substantial size through which the contentsmay be poured. Whenthe carton is not in use, the tab 39 is bent alongits score 37 and is inserted through the end wall 9 (as shown in Fig.`6), its edges having a frictional grippingcooperationwith.theextendedslots 47. In thefully closed position, asindicated in Fig. 7, the tab 39 projects into the l carton, and theseparable portion 49 of the end wall 9 is returned into closing coplanarrelationship with other portions of the end wall 9.

It has been found that this closure effectively protects the contents,even in a relatively damp atmosphere. Also, the tab 39 functionssomewhat as a valve, being folded back as indicated by the arrow in Fig.7 to lock the ear 35 when the contents are shifted within the carton.Perhaps the principal advantage of this arrangement, however, is thatthe reclosable feature prevents spilling of the contents if the cartonis accidentally knocked over or inverted.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that those skilled in theart will understand the structure, function and mode of operation of theinvention herein disclosed, and appreciate the advantages thereof.Although one embodiment has been disclosed in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto, but the drawingsand description thereof are to be understood as being merelyillustrative. For example, the aps 19 and 23 at the bottom and 17 and 21at the top may be reversed; and in that event, it is not essential tocoat members 17 and 19 with adhesive in closing the box. The arrangementillustrated has an advantage in that the iiap 41 becomes glued to thetop and cannot block the pouring outlet. The other arrangement isthought to have an advantage in sift-proof action. It is realized thatmany modifications and variations will present themselves to thoseskilled in the art wthout departing from the spirit of this invention orthe scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

1. A carton formed from a blank of semi-flexible sheet materialcomprising side and end walls connected to one another, a top-closureflap integrally hinged to one of said side Walls, a pouring outletdelineated in one of said end walls near the top thereof, said pouringoutlet being dened by weakened lines converging toward a lower edge thatextends parallel with the top of the carton, said lower edge beingdefined by a slot which has its ends extending laterally beyond the endsof the pouring outlet-defining weakened lines, an integral earprojecting laterally from one end of the top-closure flap in overlyingrelationship with said pouring outlet and having a. greater area thansaid pouring outlet, and a tab hinged to said ear at the free endthereof along a score tto-extensive with the slot defining the loweredge of the pouring outlet, said tab being substantially rectangular inshape and having a width which is greater than the distance between thelower ends of the weakened lines and substantially the length of saidslot, said ear being'adhesively secured to that portion of the end walldelined by the weakened lines and slot and to portions beyond saidweakened lines and slot to thereby Seal the cuts defining thepouringoutlet and to remove that portion Of the side wall defined by saidweakened lines and slot when the tab is pulled.

2. A carton formed from a blank of semi-flexible sheet materialcomprising side and end walls connected to one another, a top-closureiiap integrally hinged to one of saidside walls, a pouring outletdelineated in one of said end walls near the top thereof, said pouringoutlet being defined by weakened lines in said end wall and havinga-lower edge, an integral ear projecting laterally from one end of thetop closure flap in overlying relationship with said pouring outlet andhaving a greater area than said pouring outlet, and a tab hinged to saidear at the free end thereof along a score generally coextensive with thelower edge of said pouring outlet, said ear being initially adhered tothat portion of the end wall defined by the weakened lines and toportions beyond said weakened-lines to thereby seal the cuts dening thepouring outlet and to remove that portion of the side wall defined bysaid weakened lines when the tab is pulled, the tab initially being freeof said end wall.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NemoedeApr. 9, 1935 10 6 Ranke et al. July 18, 1939 Hunter Aug. 20, 1940Williamson Jan. 2, 1945 Guyer Mar. 18, 1947 Williamson June 7, 1949 ZinnJune 5, 1951 Wells July 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Feb. 16, 1951

